Personal Essay Example - My Education Goal

My personal mission statement guiding my nursing undergraduate study is: I aspire to become a nurse as it will provide me an opportunity to positively influence other peoples lives, especially those in life-threatening health problems. To support my mission and realize my dream of becoming a professional nurse, I have set a goal: to earn a bachelor degree in nursing in the next four years. Goal setting is important in that it improves students academic performance (Conzemius & ONeill, 2011) and aids in monitoring students progress towards realizing long-term goals (Harrington, 2015).

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To achieve this goal, I intend to work hard on my academics and attain a minimum grade of B+ in all the nursing courses. To realize these good grades, I plan to study for at least four hours per day outside the regular coursework hours, seven days a week. Secondly, I plan to have a study group with my course mates, at least twice per week. Lastly, I intend to meet with my lecturers for clarification on what I did not understand grasp in class.

To achieve the stated goal, I also plan to attain satisfactory grades in all the clinical works I will undertake. To realize this, I intend to attend all the laboratory or practical sessions as it provides an opportunity to apply my nursing knowledge acquired in class. The lab sessions will also impart me with new skills. As much as possible, I will seek many opportunities with my clinical instructor to practice the skills in a patient-care setting. Also, I am going to request assistance from my instructor whenever I encounter a clinical challenge.

Lastly, I intend to pass my NCLEX exam so as to attain my goal. To pass the exam, I intend to purchase NCLEX exam sample tests and review books. Taking the sample tests will help me to get acquainted with the questions likely to be on the NCLEX exam. Apart from taking practice tests, I plan to study for the NCLEX exam. To do this, I will have to visit National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website so as to get to know more about the NCLEX exam (e.g. the type and format of the questions).

SMART Goals Worksheet

Draft Goal:

To earn a bachelor degree in nursing in the next four years.

Answers at time of development 6 Month Update

Specific

What is the desired result? (who, what, when, why, how)

I intend to work hard on my academics and achieve a minimum grade of B+ in all the nursing courses

I expect to achieve satisfactory grades in all the clinical works I will undertake.

I intend to pass my National Council Licensure Examination. Achieve a grade of B+ in 80% of the courses at the end of the semester.

Achieve satisfactory grades continuous assessment clinical works.

Measurable

How can you quantify (numerically or descriptively) completion?

How can you measure progress? The exam grades can be measured by using the grades and scores attained in each course at the end of every semester. The progress can be measured using the scores achieved in continuous assessment tests.

The achievement of satisfactory grades in clinical works can be measured quantitatively by use of scores awarded after completion of clinical placement written tests or oral exams. Qualitatively, it can be measured using the feedback given by the clinical instructor during clinical placements sessions. The progress can be measured quantitatively using the scores attained in continuous assessment tests and descriptively using the written feedbacks by the clinical instructor during practical sessions.

Passing of National Council Licensure Examination can be measured using scores attained after taking the exam. The progress towards achieving this can be measured using scores obtained after taking sample tests of the exam. Achieve scores of over 70% in theory-based and practical exam.

Achievable

What skills are needed?

What resources are necessary?

How does the environment impact goal achievement?

Does the goal require the right amount of effort? The skills needed to attain good grades include good time management, group discussions, regular attendance of classes, excellent note-taking techniques, and development of study plan. The resources needed include a study planner, a study schedule, and textbooks. The goal requires a lot of effort and dedication. Improve my time management, group discussions, note-taking, study skills.

Relevant

Is the goal in alignment with the overall mission or strategy?

The overall mission is to positively influence other people's lives, especially those in life-threatening health problems. The goal is aligned with the mission since the achievement of the mission requires one to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. To gain this knowledge, behaviors, and skills, a student is required to excel in all the academic courses, the clinical-based courses, and the NCLEX exam. Review my acquired knowledge, behaviors, and skills at the end of the semester.

Time-bound

What is the deadline?

Is the deadline realistic? The time limit for achieving the goal is four years

The time limit is realistic since achieving the goal requires a student to take a multitude of theory-based and practical-based courses so as to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Check the progress towards attaining the goal.

Final Goal: In the next four years, I intend to achieve a minimum grade of B+ in all the nursing courses and achieve satisfactory grades in all the clinical works so as to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.

References

Conzemius, A., & ONeill, J. (2011). The Power of SMART Goals: Using Goals to Improve Student Learning. Solution Tree Press.

Harrington, C. (2015). Student Success in College: Doing What Works! Cengage Learning.